Conferences

Mobile phones and other wireless communication devices are widely accepted and accessible in the general population. Currently, mobile phone penetration rates are approaching saturation. Survey researchers make use of mobile phones in multiple ways: in traditional telephone surveys among the general population mobile phones are used in order to compensate for mobile-only populations; in special population surveys mobile phones are used as the only means of contacting respondents by phone or text; in self-administered settings mobile phones are used to administer questionnaires using the mobile web capabilities of the mobile phones. In addition, many mobile phones offer multimedia messaging and video telephony, allowing researcher to approach potential respondent using multiple modes. This offers many opportunities to expand the existing options of survey research. However, at the same time several methodological problems arise, among others from coverage error, unit non-response and measurement error. This session focuses on the experiences with mobile phone surveys in various survey settings. Experimental studies or mode comparisons are especially welcome. However, papers that describe the use of mobile phones in innovative survey settings are also welcome. All papers are expected to assess mobile surveys by one or multiple aspects of data quality.